FIFA penalized South Africa's national soccer team with a three-point deduction after midfielder Teboho Mokoena played against Lesotho on March 21 despite serving a suspension. The disciplinary committee ruled on Sept. 29 that Mokoena had accumulated two yellow cards in previous qualifiers and was ineligible for the match under competition regulations. The 2-0 victory was reversed to a 3-0 forfeit loss, and the South African Football Association was fined 10,000 Swiss francs.
The punishment dropped South Africa to second place in Group C with 14 points behind Benin on goal difference. Coach Hugo Broos acknowledged the administrative error, while Benin's coach criticized the seven-month delay in FIFA's decision. South Africa can still win the group by defeating Zimbabwe and Rwanda in their remaining matches while hoping Nigeria takes points from Benin. The team needs strong victories to overcome a goal-difference disadvantage of minus one compared with Benin's plus four.
The punishment dropped South Africa to second place in Group C with 14 points behind Benin on goal difference. Coach Hugo Broos acknowledged the administrative error, while Benin's coach criticized the seven-month delay in FIFA's decision. South Africa can still win the group by defeating Zimbabwe and Rwanda in their remaining matches while hoping Nigeria takes points from Benin. The team needs strong victories to overcome a goal-difference disadvantage of minus one compared with Benin's plus four.
